Chapter 485 A Standoff Across Time: Feng Tianyang!

On the battle stage.

Lin Xinmu knelt beside his Void Shadow Mink.

His hands were still resting on the beast's cold fur.

His entire body was hunched over as if his Soul had been drained away.

His lips moved silently.

His eyes were bloodshot, yet not a single tear could fall.

That face, which had always worn an expression of cold arrogance since enrollment, was now left with only a deathly, listless blankness.

Thousands of gazes from below the stage fell upon him, yet few showed any sympathy.

There was more sighing, more lamentation—a complex, regretful sigh of "why act this way if you knew it would come to this."

"Why on earth did he go and provoke this Sacred Student back then?"

On the southeast viewing platform.

An upperclassman crossed his arms and shook his head, his tone full of the lamentations of someone who had seen it all.

"Seven days ago at the Colosseum, he publicly challenged a Gold Rank Eight freshman to a duel. I still remember that condescending look on his face clearly. How arrogant he was back then? 'The day you promote to Amethyst Rank is the day we meet on the arena.' Well, now it's happened. The other person promoted to Amethyst Rank, and they fought in the arena. And the result? In a single exchange, not even ten breaths, his Void Shadow Mink was beaten so badly it couldn't even fight back. If he hadn't provoked him, wouldn't all of this have been avoided?"

"Who's to say otherwise?"

Another student next to him chimed in, his voice carrying a mix of schadenfreude and a hint of sympathy.

"Lin Xinmu's strength is actually not bad. An Amethyst Rank Six spatial type, the dark horse who fought his way out of this competition; many veteran experts on the Heavenly Ranking list have fallen to him. If he hadn't actively provoked the Sacred Student, he would have definitely secured a spot. But he just had to issue a challenge at the enrollment ceremony, just had to target people from Longxiang Pavilion during the arena matches. Now look, his beast is severely injured. Never mind the spot; it's a question of whether it can even recover in the next month or two. The Molten Fire Grotto Secret Realm is opening, and how many opportunities are inside? I'm afraid he's missed his chance this time."

"But having said that, the Sacred Student is truly ruthless with his attacks."

Someone muttered softly.

"That Void Shadow Mink's injuries probably won't recover for at least a month."

"Ruthless? Lin Xinmu brought it on himself. Didn't you hear what the Sacred Student just said? 'If people don't offend me, I won't offend them; if people offend my Longxiang Pavilion, don't blame me for being merciless.' That was perfectly clear. He didn't go looking for trouble with Lin Xinmu for no reason; he was standing up for Longxiang Pavilion. Why didn't you think it was ruthless when Lin Xinmu was targeting Longxiang Pavilion before? Now that it's his turn, you think it's ruthless?"

The crowd below was buzzing with discussion.

Lin Xinmu on the stage, however, seemed to hear nothing.

He simply stood up numbly with the help of a few discipline Disciples, watching as his Void Shadow Mink was carefully carried away.

That silver-gray beast, once majestic and free to traverse space, was now curled up on the stretcher like a rag.

The sword mark running from its shoulder to its abdomen was still slowly oozing pale silver blood.

Lin Xinmu took one last look at Jiang Yun on the battle stage.

The youth still stood with his hands behind his back, the morning light spilling onto him, casting a long, cold silhouette.

He did not look at Lin Xinmu; his gaze had already drifted elsewhere.

Lin Xinmu's lips trembled, but in the end, he said nothing. He turned and followed the stretcher off the stage.

His back was hunched and his gait unsteady.

He was a completely different person from the arrogant challenger of seven days ago.

On the main viewing platform.

The gazes of the deans followed Lin Xinmu's stumbling figure.

The expressions on their faces were all extremely complex.

Zhan Qiong rested his hands on the railing and let out a long sigh.

On that rugged, resolute face, a Rare trace of regret appeared.

"This kid Lin Xinmu is actually a good seedling. Spatial-type beasts are Rare, and the Void Shadow Mink's Bloodline is not bad. I've seen him fight his way up from the sixties in this competition. If he were polished well for a few years, he would have a place in the top fifteen or even top ten of the Heavenly Ranking. It's a pity… his nature is too arrogant. Because he was jealous of the Sacred Student, he became conceited and bullied the weak. Now that he's been crushed in return, he has only himself to blame."

"Indeed, he has only himself to blame."

Vice Dean Yan Lie shook his head slightly, his tone also carrying regret.

"But in the end, this conflict was doomed to be unavoidable from the start. Lin Xinmu's arrogance made it impossible for him to bow his head, and the Sacred Student's temperament is not one to be pushed around. From the moment Lin Xinmu spoke those words of challenge seven days ago, today's battle was already on its way. It's just that no one expected the outcome to be like this… not a fierce battle, not a stalemate, but a crushing defeat. A crushing defeat without any suspense."

Medicine Dust Son stroked his beard, his aged voice carrying a hint of depth.

"Although Lin Xinmu's beast is severely injured, it is not impossible to recover. It's just a pity about the spot in the Molten Cavern... With his strength, he should have secured one steadily. Now that his beast is severely injured and has no fighting power in the short term, he has to give up the spot. This can be considered a lesson for him. There is always someone better. It's fine to be arrogant, but if you are so arrogant that you look down on everyone, sooner or later you will fall. It's just that this fall was a bit too hard."

Tie Kuang spoke in a muffled voice, concise and to the point.

"For young people, suffering a loss is a good thing."

The several deans nodded one after another, but did not say anything more.

They were all old monsters who had lived for hundreds of years.

They had seen more geniuses fall than ordinary people had seen geniuses rise.

Although Lin Xinmu was a pity, he was not worth them being too moved.

Just then.

Vice Dean Ming Jing stood up slowly and walked to the edge of the main viewing platform.

His voice was gentle and steady.

Though not loud, it clearly spread throughout the entire Colosseum.

"Student Lin Xinmu, please stay a moment."

Lin Xinmu's footsteps paused at the edge of the battle stage, but he did not turn back.

Vice Dean Ming Jing continued unhurriedly.

"Your beast still has breath, so don't worry too much. The academy will arrange the best healers to treat it, and all necessary Medicinal Pills and resources will be covered by the academy. The Void Shadow Mink's vitality is naturally tenacious, and it will recover as before in a month or two. As for the spot in the Molten Fire Grotto Secret Realm... although you have no fate with it this time, the Eastern Region is vast, and there are so many Secret Realm opportunities; there will be more opportunities waiting for you in the future. There is no need to lose your spirit because of a momentary setback."

As soon as these words were spoken.

A low buzz of discussion arose from below the stage.

"The academy is covering the treatment costs? This was caused by the Sacred Student, and it was on the arena; shouldn't the Sacred Student have to pay for it himself, no matter how you look at it?"

"You're stupid! This is clearly Vice Dean Ming Jing cleaning up after the Sacred Student! With the Medicinal Pills and resources reimbursed by the academy, it means the academy is footing the bill for the Sacred Student. It doesn't cost the Sacred Student anything, and it preserves the Sacred Student's reputation. At most, people will say the Sacred Student's attacks were a bit heavy, but they won't say the Sacred Student injured someone and didn't care. Moreover, the Dean is protecting Lin Xinmu's mindset... With the academy covering the beast's injury, Lin Xinmu won't be devastated, nor will he completely hate Jiang Yun because his beast couldn't recover. This is leaving a margin for the two geniuses."

"Tsk tsk, the Dean's bias is almost reaching the edge of the sky. But then again, with the Heaven-Defying combat power and talent of the Sacred Student, who else would the academy favor if not him?"

On the battle stage.

Lin Xinmu finally stopped.

He was silent for a moment, not turning back.

He just spat out a few words in a hoarse voice.

"...Thank you, Dean."

Then he followed the healer who took his beast and walked quickly off the battle stage.

His figure soon disappeared into the shadows of the contestant passage.

Vice Dean Ming Jing nodded slightly and sat back down.

Zhan Qiong leaned over and lowered his voice, his tone carrying a touch of teasing.

"Dean, you really are efficient at cleaning up messes."

Vice Dean Ming Jing picked up his teacup and took a sip unhurriedly.

The smile at the corner of his mouth never faded, and he just said lightly.

"The academy's geniuses, the academy must naturally protect. No matter which one it is."

With Lin Xinmu's departure.

That battle stage officially belonged to Jiang Yun.

Little Skylark slowly retracted its wings, the Divine Roc True Form state faded, and the Wind-Thunder Calamity Domain also dissipated.

But it still stood tall in the center of the battle stage.

Its divine feathers shimmered with brilliant luster in the morning light, the miniature thunderstorm pattern in its pupils rotating slowly.

The pressure radiating from its body, though much more restrained than during the battle, still weighed on the hearts of everyone around like an invisible mountain.

The figure of the youth standing with his hands behind his back on the battle stage.

Now in the eyes of everyone.

It already had an unfathomable Aura.

The Prodigies on the Heavenly Ranking list on the surrounding battle stages.

Subconsciously withdrew their gazes, not daring to meet his eyes.

On a battle stage right next to Jiang Yun's.

An Amethyst Seventh Tier expert in the top twenty of the Heavenly Ranking silently moved to the edge of the stage, muttering inwardly.

"Don't look at me, don't look at me. I haven't provoked Longxiang Pavilion. That slash just now was too damn scary. To insta-kill a spatial type in a single exchange—you can only befriend such a ruthless person, not offend him. When the spots are finalized later, I must find a chance to send some gifts to Longxiang Pavilion and expand my social connections."

Another Prodigy in the top fifteen of the Heavenly Ranking was even more straightforward.

He sat cross-legged directly on the battle stage.

Striking a pose of "I'm just a passerby sitting here."

In the Longxiang Pavilion camp.

Zhao Tiezhu was so excited that his face turned red.

He grabbed Lin Kuo beside him and shook him hard, his voice hoarse and excited.

"Did you see that!! Did you see that!! Insta-kill!! That was an insta-kill!! How arrogant was that bastard Lin Xinmu when he was fighting Liu Qingshuang and the others before? And now?! He was insta-killed by Jiang Yun in a single exchange!! I knew it!! I knew Jiang Yun would definitely avenge us!!"

Lin Kuo was shaken so hard he was about to fly away, but his face also wore a smile so wide it was about to split to his ears.

"Strong!! Too strong!! The three of them, Liu Qingshuang and the others, couldn't even last ten rounds. The Pavilion Master made one move... just one slash!! He cut down that Void Shadow Mink with one slash!! Am I dreaming? Tiezhu, pinch me... Ouch!! It's really not a dream!!"

Xiao Yutian stood beside the two, pushed up his glasses, and didn't speak, but the eyes looking out from behind the lenses were full of irrepressible excitement and pride.

Shang Xiaoxiao stood beside him, her hands tightly clasped in front of her chest, looking at the tall and straight figure on the battle stage, her eyes shining with crystal clear light.

And Liu Qingshuang, Xiao Chen, and Lei Qing.

Their expressions at this moment were even more complex than Zhao Tiezhu and the others.

Liu Qingshuang's usually cold eyes were slightly widened at this moment.

For the first time, a hint of hard-to-hide shock appeared on her cold face.

She recalled that she had only lasted a few rounds in front of Lin Xinmu before being forced to retreat in a sorry state by spatial cutting, while Jiang Yun had insta-killed Lin Xinmu's Void Shadow Mink in just a single exchange.

Xiao Chen looked up at the figure on the battle stage.

His low voice was full of emotion.

"Strong. Too strong. We have fought against Lin Xinmu, and we know better than anyone how difficult that spatial beast is. But in front of Jiang Yun, it couldn't even withstand a single set of skills. Seven days ago we could fight side by side, seven days later he is already standing in a place we can only look up to."

Lei Qing simply slapped his thigh.

"Hahaha! How arrogant was Lin Xinmu when he was beating us? Now he's been taken out in a single move himself! This is what you call karma!"

On the battle stage where the three from the Jingfeng Sect were located.

Feng Ziyue's complexion could no longer be described as merely pale.

His entire body trembled slightly, as if he had just been pulled out of ice water.

His Void-Splitting Profound Gold Eagle had curled into a ball deep within his Beast Taming Space, and the intense fear transmitted through their contract was so strong that even his legs began to go weak.

He had seen with his own eyes Lin Xinmu's Void Shadow Mink get knocked down by a single slash.

He knew all too well how bizarre and troublesome that space-type beast was.

Although he and Lin Xinmu were not allies, they had crossed paths during the tournament.

He knew very well that if he were in Lin Xinmu's position, facing that Void Shadow Mink's space traversal and spatial cutting, he, Feng Ziyue, wouldn't even last a single exchange; he would be defeated even faster than Lin Xinmu.

And Jiang Yun had taken out Lin Xinmu in a single move.

This meant that Jiang Yun could take him out in a single move.

He didn't even need to use a skill.

Just the Aura released by that Divine Roc...

...would be enough to make his Void-Splitting Profound Gold Eagle collapse.

"How could this be... How could this be..."

Feng Ziyue's lips trembled violently.

The sound was squeezed out from his throat.

"Lin Xinmu was taken out in a single move by him, so what about me? My Void-Splitting Profound Gold Eagle can't even beat Lin Xinmu; what do I have to fight him with? Big Brother... Big Brother, you said you would step in... He'll definitely come for me next; he certainly won't let me go. Big Brother, you must help me block him, I..."

"Shut up."

Sect Master Feng Tianyang spat out the two words indifferently.

Feng Ziyue immediately fell silent as if his throat had been throttled.

But his body continued to tremble uncontrollably.

Feng Yu stood to the side, his face, which usually wore a sinister, cold sneer, finally unable to maintain its composure.

He recalled back at the entrance of Longxiang Pavilion, where he had been able to make Jiang Yun struggle to even take a step just by using his Aura.

At that time, the other party wasn't even Amethyst Rank and had no power to fight back against him.

If it weren't for Su Qingying stepping in, he could have wiped Longxiang Pavilion off the academy map that very day.

But only seven days had passed since then...

The other party had not only caught up in cultivation to the Amethyst Sixth Tier Peak, but had also returned riding a top-tier Bloodline beast capable of taking out Lin Xinmu in a single move.

Feng Yu had replayed that Ancient Wind-Thunder Wing Slash that killed the Void Shadow Mink countless times in his mind.

Every time he replayed it, he weighed the situation.

If he were the one in Lin Xinmu's position, could he block it?

The answer was... he didn't know.

This was what made his heart palpitate the most.

"Big Brother."

Feng Yu's voice was low and suppressed.

"I am no longer his match. That Divine Roc's Realm is only Amethyst Sixth Tier, but with its Domain and Bloodline True Body combined, its combat power has absolutely reached the Diamond Rank. Although my beast is Amethyst Eighth Tier, fighting him... I have no confidence in surviving twenty rounds."

Sect Master Feng Tianyang still had his arms crossed. His gaze had not left Jiang Yun from start to finish.

But that habitual playful smile on his face had quietly vanished at some point.

Replaced by a caution that showed he was truly beginning to take his opponent seriously.

"Interesting." He spoke slowly, his voice a few degrees lower than before.

"Stronger than I expected. A Legendary-grade Domain skill, and a True Body that is a Legendary-grade Bloodline True Body; activating both these skills simultaneously consumes an astronomical amount of spiritual energy. Yet, after he finished releasing it just now, that Divine Roc's Aura showed almost no decline. This means either its spiritual energy reserves far exceed those of the same tier, or its recovery speed is extremely astonishing. Either way, it's troublesome."

He paused slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"And have you noticed... from beginning to end, he has only used this one beast."

Feng Yu's pupils contracted sharply. He could not speak.

That's right, from beginning to end, Jiang Yun had only summoned this one Divine Roc.

This Divine Roc was Amethyst Sixth Tier.

And he couldn't see through Jiang Yun's Beast Tamer cultivation at all.

This could only mean that Jiang Yun's Beast Tamer Realm was definitely far beyond Amethyst Sixth Tier.

A Beast Tamer whose cultivation was far beyond the Amethyst Sixth Tier—how could he possibly only have one Amethyst Sixth Tier beast?

He must have at least one other main combat beast that hadn't appeared yet.

That True Dragon-form beast that had appeared briefly during the entrance test. It hadn't appeared from start to finish.

Sect Master Feng Tianyang slowly lowered his arms and loosened his wrists.

Deep within his Beast Taming Space, the Heaven-Rending Golden Roc, linked to him by blood, seemed to sense its master's intent and let out a low battle cry.

He felt the Heaven-Rending Golden Roc telling him that this Divine Roc's Bloodline was not simple at all, and was by no means inferior to its own Ancient Heaven Roc Bloodline.

"Indeed, it is not simple." Sect Master Feng Tianyang muttered to himself, a sharp Battle Intent flashing in his eyes.

"However, that is all. The Amethyst Sixth Tier Domain and True Body are certainly strong, but the spiritual energy consumption is also real. How long can he hold out? As for me... I don't need a Domain, I don't need a True Body. The Heaven-Rending Golden Roc is at the Amethyst Ninth Tier Peak, crushing him by three minor tiers in Realm. In the face of absolute power, no matter how strong the Bloodline, it must bow."

However, the moment these words left his lips, Jiang Yun's gaze swept over.

There was no warning, no transition. It was as if the clamor and noise of the entire Colosseum had been muted the moment that gaze swept across.

Sect Master Feng Tianyang's gaze met it at the same instant. The two gazes collided with a boom in the air.

It was not an ordinary staring contest. Two invisible Auras exploded from both of them simultaneously.

Like two mountains confronting each other from afar, they collided thunderously across the distance of several battle stages.

The layer of Meteor-rank Mental Energy field around Jiang Yun, which had not yet fully dissipated, suddenly solidified the moment his gaze swept out, and the pale silver mental pressure pierced through the air like an invisible sharp sword.

And an Aura, sharp to the point of being almost tangible, erupted from Sect Master Feng Tianyang as well. It was not Mental Energy, but pure Killing Intent that had settled after long periods of slaughter and countless bloody battles.

The Aura of the Amethyst Ninth Tier Peak bloomed without reservation at this moment. Like a sharp blade pulled from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

The two Auras collided silently in mid-air above the Colosseum. There was no explosion, no roar, but the Prodigies on the surrounding battle stages all felt their scalps tingle simultaneously.

It was not spiritual energy pressure, but a direct confrontation between two top-tier Prodigies at the level of Aura.

It was as if invisible electric arcs were crackling in the air. Even the defensive array patterns on the battle stages between the two began to tremble slightly.

The entire venue fell silent in that instant. Thousands of gazes focused simultaneously on these two figures confronting each other from afar.

Everyone could feel that pressure that was almost about to solidify. It was not Killing Intent. It was a silent declaration released by two beasts staring at each other before the fight.

"I know you exist, I do not fear your strength, and I am ready to fight at any time."

"Heavenly Saint Student... The Heavenly Saint Student is confronting Sect Master Feng Tianyang!!" Someone in the stands exclaimed in shock.

"Didn't he just finish fighting Lin Xinmu?! Is he really going to fight Sect Master Feng Tianyang too?! Sect Master Feng Tianyang is sixth on the Heavenly Rankings! An Amethyst Ninth Tier Peak Beast Tamer!! The Heaven-Rending Golden Roc has the Ancient Heaven Roc Bloodline! That is a top-tier Prodigy ranked sixth in the entire academy!! Is the Heavenly Saint Student crazy?!"

"No, no... look closely! He just glanced at Sect Master Feng Tianyang! And Sect Master Feng Tianyang looked back! They aren't fighting directly! But this Aura... My god, the Heavenly Saint Student actually doesn't lose to Sect Master Feng Tianyang in terms of Aura at all! That's the sixth on the Heavenly Rankings!! An Amethyst Ninth Tier Peak Beast Tamer!!"

"Have you all forgotten what the Jingfeng Sect did to Longxiang Pavilion before? Feng Ziyue blocked the door and almost crippled the Heavenly Saint Student's beast, Feng Yu bullied the weak and forced Su Qingying to step in, and Sect Master Feng Tianyang, as the Sect Leader, couldn't possibly be unaware! Now, in the quota competition, Feng Ziyue and Lin Feng are taking turns targeting people from Longxiang Pavilion; the Heavenly Saint Student is settling scores for Longxiang Pavilion! He isn't crazy! He is doing it on purpose!! He wants everyone in the academy to see that he, Jiang Yun, does not fear the Jingfeng Sect, does not fear Sect Master Feng Tianyang, and that no one can touch the people of Longxiang Pavilion! This is a naked declaration of war!"

"A declaration of war... A declaration of war against the Jingfeng Sect? Against the sixth on the Heavenly Rankings? The Heavenly Saint Student has been back for less than half an hour! Taking out Lin Xinmu isn't enough, he's going to go straight for Sect Master Feng Tianyang?! This is just too arrogant!! But Sect Master Feng Tianyang isn't Lin Xinmu; he is a true top-tier Prodigy standing at the very Peak of the younger generation in the provincial capital!!"

Everyone was holding their breath, waiting. Waiting for Jiang Yun to fly up from the battle stage and head straight for Sect Master Feng Tianyang's stage.

Sect Master Feng Tianyang was clearly waiting too. His hands hung at his sides, his fingers slightly spread, ready to reach into his Beast Taming Space at any moment. He once again wore that smile filled with Battle Intent, and his eyes glinted with anticipation. Within him, the Heaven-Rending Golden Roc had already let out a battle cry that pierced the Soul.

And then. Jiang Yun suddenly withdrew his gaze. It was not a retreat, not fear. It was that sense of composure, as if having finished assessing, he felt it was not yet the right time.

The moment he withdrew his gaze, all his Aura dissipated, as if he had casually sheathed a sharp sword that had just been unsheathed an inch. That overwhelming pressure and the Mental Energy field also silently vanished at the same time he withdrew his gaze.

He turned around, facing the direction of the Longxiang Pavilion camp. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, wearing a smile that everyone could understand. It was not provocation, not triumph, but a kind of reassurance, a composure that said, "I am here."

"Senior Sister Qingshuang!" His voice was not loud. Yet it clearly spread throughout the entire Colosseum.

"This battle stage! It's yours!!"

The whole venue fell silent. Thousands of gazes froze simultaneously. The expressions on everyone's faces froze in that instant. There was shock, astonishment, disbelief, but more than that, a sense of confusion as their perceptions were completely overturned.

He had just been confronting Sect Master Feng Tianyang from afar, his Aura like a rainbow, as if he were about to fly over and start a battle the next second. Everyone thought he was going to use that momentum to storm the Jingfeng Sect and carry out the reckoning to the end. But the first thing he did after withdrawing his gaze was not to rush toward Sect Master Feng Tianyang's battle stage, but to hand over his own battle stage... the one he had just taken by defeating Lin Xinmu in a single exchange... to the people of Longxiang Pavilion.

In the Longxiang Pavilion camp, Liu Qingshuang was stunned. On her cold and aloof face, there appeared once again undisguised shock and emotion. She opened her mouth... wanting to say something... but could not utter a single word...